Maasholm between the Schlei and the Baltic Sea

Maasholm is a peninsula on the Baltic Sea fjord Schlei; the Baltic Sea forms the eastern boundary of the municipality. The harbor, cycling routes, nature activities and a walk around the village offer different ways to shape your trip. If you are looking for a hotel in Maasholm, you can start by asking yourself whether cycling, nature or the village’s maritime history will define your stay. The specific routes, seasonal schedules and sights can help you decide.

Harbor and excursion boats

Maasholm’s marina has 450 berths with electricity and water hookups. As capacity and facilities may change during operations, it is advisable to check the latest information before making specific plans. There are also named departure points for excursions on the water: the boats “MS Stadt Kappeln,” “MS Nordlicht” and “MS Schlei Princess” depart from the Schumacher Bridge in Maasholm or from the harbor in Kappeln. Timetables and services may change; check the current connections if you are planning a trip.

Cycling routes and walking trails

The “Via Altona to Belgrade” cycling route starts and ends in Maasholm and is about 35 kilometers long. The municipality also offers guided bike tours during the summer months. These are usually 35 to 55 kilometers long and mainly follow quiet country roads through the Angeln countryside. At about 35 kilometers, the route described is at the shorter end of the usual distance range for guided tours. Dates and arrangements for seasonal guided tours may vary; weather and wind can also affect the routes.

For a shorter walk, a two-kilometer nature trail leads from the Exhöft hikers’ parking lot to the Maasholm Nature Experience Center. The center was established at a former rocket station close to the Baltic Sea beach and the Oehe-Schleimünde bird sanctuary. It offers nature programs for tourists, school classes, groups and birthday parties. Programs are seasonal and may change, so check in advance what is available during your stay. In the surrounding region, Jordsand leads visitors into the Schleimündung nature reserve from the bird observatory hut from April to October.

Nature and activities on the water

Windsurfing lessons take place right on the Wormshöfter Noor, a shallow bay between Maasholm and Wormshöft. The lessons run seasonally during the German summer holidays. If you are planning this activity, this time limitation is important when choosing your travel dates. The canoe launch in Maasholm is on the beach behind the municipal harbor and provides access to the water. Alongside cycling and walking trails, there are also activities and access points related to the water.

Village walk and maritime history

A walk around Maasholm passes the harbor and includes the listed historic landing stages of the Schlei barges, St. Peter’s Church, the listed sea rescue station built in 1916, and small thatched fishermen’s cottages. St. Peter’s Church was built on November 22, 1952, as a simple sailors’ church on a rise near the water. From there, the view stretches across the broad bays of the lower Schlei as far as Buckhagen, Rabel and Ellenberg.

Other stops tell the story of the village’s architecture and maritime heritage. Handwerkerhuus Maasholm is a gallery that opened in 1989 in the former brick stable of Maasholm’s listed town hall. The tourist information office includes a small fishing museum that presents the history of fishing in Maasholm. The bronze sculpture “Peter Aal” is also part of the village landscape: installed in 1999, it has since been regarded as the fishing village’s landmark and depicts an eel spear fisherman.

If you would like to explore Maasholm with a guide, a bookable village tour introduces you to its history and maritime character. Booking packages may change; check in advance what options are currently available.

Discover more destinations: Pommerby, Stangheck, Steinberghaff, Niesgrau, Steinbergkirche, Hasselberg, Steinberg, Rabenholz.

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